Vitamin E May Reduce Risk of Heart Attack When Taken Alone

Myocardial infarction is most commonly known as a heart attack, and is one of the top killers in the US. A recent study suggests that vitamin E may lower the risk of myocardial infarction, but only when taken by itself, with no other antioxidants.

Data for this analysis came from 16 randomized trials. During those trials, participants were given between 400 and 800 IU per day of vitamin E. After examining the data, the researchers found that there was a 20% reduced risk of myocardial infarction in people who took vitamin E. However, if vitamin E was taken with other antioxidants, no such protective measures were found.

Researchers from Sapienza University of Rome and the IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed in Italy conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on February 3, 2015, in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases.

Vitamin E has eight different forms: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and has been shown to help many aspects of the body.

Previous studies have shown that vitamin E intake is associated with lower cholesterol, healthier skin, maintaining a proper hormonal balance, and help reduce the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). If you’re looking to add more vitamin E to your diet, try eating more sunflower seeds, breakfast cereal, tomatoes, dried herbs, and dried apricots.